Vulnerability Assessment Report

Sept 29, 2024

Conducted by Olivia Chen

Executive Summary

This assessment identifies key cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Power Pulse Utilities’ IT and OT infrastructure. It evaluates their risk level, potential impact, and exploitability, providing actionable recommendations to strengthen security and ensure operational resilience. The assessment also takes into account the broader risk landscape, as the Canadian electricity sector has been identified as a high-value target for cyber threats.

Key Insights:

• 3 vulnerabilities were identified across the IT and OT systems evaluated.
• 1 vulnerability was rated as High, 1 as Medium, and 1 as Low based on environmental factors.
• The most critical vulnerability could potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
• The vulnerabilities primarily affected employee devices and internal operational systems, with no immediate threats to core infrastructure.

Purpose:

• Identify potential security risks in networked systems and applications.
• Assess the potential impact of discovered vulnerabilities on business operations.
• Recommend actionable strategies to mitigate the identified risks.

Scope:

• The assessment covered key IT and OT systems, including employee laptops and critical infrastructure components such as Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and communication devices.

This report highlights the current vulnerabilities in Power Pulse’s infrastructure and emphasizes the importance of timely remediation to prevent potential exploitation. Adopting the recommended measures will significantly strengthen the organization’s security framework and protect its operational integrity.

Introduction

Power Pulse Utilities recently engaged a 3^rd-party organization to conduct a vulnerability scan of its Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) environments. However, the 3^rd-party organization did not perform an in-depth analysis of the scan results. This report aims to bridge that gap by providing a detailed evaluation of the identified vulnerabilities. It includes an overview of each vulnerability, current exploitation status, potential impact on operations and customers, and prioritization plan based on asset sensitivity. This assessment will guide Power Pulse in addressing these vulnerabilities effectively.

Identification of Vulnerabilities

Power Pulse Utilities contracted the 3^rd-party to perform a vulnerability scan of its IT and OT systems. Three vulnerabilities were identified.

• Vulnerability #1 Zoom Client for Meetings < 5.15.2 Vulnerability (ZSB-23038)
• Vulnerability #2 Siemens RTUs Vulnerabilities CP-8031 and CP-8050 (CVE-2023-42797)
• Vulnerability #3 Cisco IP Phone Issue (CVE-2023-20265)

Analysis Using Vulnerability Databases

Review vulnerability in various sources including,
Tenable’s Vulnerability Plug-In Database,
NIST’s National Vulnerability Database, and
CISA’s Cybersecurity Alerts & Advisories site.

Determination of Exploitability

Vulnerability #1 Zoom Client for Meetings < 5.15.2 Vulnerability (ZSB-23038)

No evidence or reports confirm active exploitation of this vulnerability as indicated in
Tenable’s plugin entry.

Vulnerability #2 Siemens RTUs Vulnerabilities CP-8031 and CP-8050 (CVE-2023-42797)

No evidence or reports confirm active exploitation of this vulnerability as indicated in
Tenable’s plugin entry.

Vulnerability #3 Cisco IP Phone Issue (CVE-2023-20265)

No evidence or reports confirm active exploitation of this vulnerability as indicated in
Tenable’s plugin entry.

Impact Analysis

Each identified vulnerability poses distinct risks to Power Pulse Utilities. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could lead to unauthorized access to critical systems, compromising sensitive customer data and disrupting essential operations. The potential impact varies based on the system affected, ranging from data breaches to operational failures. Understanding the role of each vulnerable system in the organization is crucial to prioritize remediation efforts and ensure business continuity.

Vulnerability #1 Zoom Client for Meetings < 5.15.2 Vulnerability (ZSB-23038)

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to internal systems via privilege escalation, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information and disruption of communication channels. Given Zoom’s widespread use for business meetings, this poses a significant risk to the organization’s operational security and data integrity.

Vulnerability #2 Siemens RTUs Vulnerabilities CP-8031 and CP-8050 (CVE-2023-42797)

A successful attack could lead to disruption in power management systems, potentially affecting the stability of power distribution. This would impact both operational reliability and service continuity, particularly critical for a utility company.

Vulnerability #3 Cisco IP Phone Issue (CVE-2023-20265)

Exploitation could compromise user data and phone system settings, leading to unauthorized access to communications. This could affect internal communication security and potentially expose sensitive business discussions.

Contextualization

Vulnerabilities should be evaluated in the context of their specific environment. The risk level may differ based on whether the affected system is in development, production, or another environment. It’s crucial to consider the business impact of the system, such as its role in core processes. Additionally, compensating controls, like firewalls or restricted network access, should be considered to assess and adjust the risk level using tools like the CVSS 3.1 calculator for an accurate environmental score.

Vulnerability #1 Zoom Client for Meetings < 5.15.2 Vulnerability (ZSB-23038)

The Zoom client is installed on all 40 Windows devices used by Power Pulse employees, many of which store confidential operational and client information. Any compromise could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, posing a significant risk to data confidentiality and business operations. In case of a disruption to Zoom’s functionality, employees can use Cisco IP Phones as an alternative communication method, minimizing the impact on business continuity.

The CVSS 3.1 calculator was used to calculate an environmental score for this vulnerability. The overall severity of this vulnerability is 8.5 (High).

CVSS 3.1 Calculator

Vulnerability #2 Siemens RTUs Vulnerabilities CP-8031 and CP-8050 (CVE-2023-42797)

These RTUs are located at three distribution stations, each protected by a firewall. Although Internet access is not available, if an attacker gains local network access, they could disrupt critical infrastructure operations, potentially launching a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack to overwhelm the RTUs. This could severely impact power distribution and operational stability. While limited network exposure reduces the likelihood, the potential impact on power distribution remains high.

The CVSS 3.1 calculator was used to calculate an environmental score for this vulnerability. The overall severity of this vulnerability is 5.6 (Medium).

CVSS 3.1 Calculator

Vulnerability #3 Cisco IP Phone Issue (CVE-2023-20265)

These phones are located at the head office and are rarely used, making them less critical in terms of security and availability. Most employees use their cell phones or Zoom for communication, and customer calls are managed by an external call center, which reduces the overall risk.

The CVSS 3.1 calculator was used to calculate an environmental score for this vulnerability. The overall severity of this vulnerability is 3.1 (Low).

CVSS 3.1 Calculator

Threat Environment

Power Pulse has maintained a strong security record in recent years, with no significant incidents beyond occasional phishing attempts, which were effectively mitigated by our corporate email security platform. However, the broader Canadian electricity sector has been identified as a high-value target for cyber threats.

Recent bulletins from the Canadian Government highlight the increasing risks to critical energy infrastructure. The Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) and the National Cyber Security Strategy have identified several potential threats, including:

1. Targeted Cyber Attacks: Adversaries may aim to disrupt power supply or access sensitive data through sophisticated cyber-attacks, such as malware, ransomware, and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks could compromise operational stability and data confidentiality.

2. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The complexity of supply chains presents challenges in maintaining security, with risks of compromised components being introduced into critical systems.

3. Increased Digitalization: The growing reliance on digital tools, such as automated meters and remote management systems, expands the attack surface and potential vulnerabilities.

In light of these national concerns, it is crucial for Power Pulse to proactively strengthen its cybersecurity posture. Implementing robust controls and maintaining vigilance will be essential in protecting both corporate and operational assets from these evolving threats.

Prioritization

Plan of Action

• The most critical vulnerability identified is the outdated Zoom client installed on employee laptops. Immediate remediation is required for the high-risk vulnerability in Zoom Client. All affected laptops must be updated within 14 days to prevent unauthorized data access and mitigate potential security breaches.
• Next in priority are the Siemens RTU vulnerabilities at distribution stations. Although protected by firewalls, they could still be exploited if an attacker gains local access. Firmware updates should be implemented within the next 30 days to mitigate potential disruptions to power distribution.
• The Cisco IP Phone vulnerability presents the lowest risk due to the limited use of these devices. This can be addressed within 90 days by updating the affected IP Phones to secure their web interfaces.

Conclusion

This assessment has revealed a range of vulnerabilities within Power Pulse’s environment, each varying in severity. Among these are a high-priority issue with the Zoom Client on employee laptops, a medium-priority concern with Siemens RTUs at distribution stations, and a low-priority vulnerability in Cisco IP Phones. Although these vulnerabilities do not currently threaten critical operations, neglecting to address them could result in data breaches, operational disruptions, or unauthorized access.

Key findings indicate the presence of vulnerable software on employee laptops, potential risks to power distribution systems, and minor issues with underutilized communication devices.

By adhering to the recommended prioritization and action plan, Power Pulse can enhance its security posture and mitigate risks to its operations and reputation. By taking swift and decisive action, Power Pulse can fortify its cybersecurity defenses, reduce operational risk, and ensure the long-term resilience of its critical infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.